Illinois Suit: Comcast Ignored Black Employees, Customers

A group of former and current technicians for Comcast Corp. has accused the company of discriminating against black employees and giving black customers cable boxes infested with bugs.

The group sued Comcast Monday in federal court in Chicago, Ill. The employees claim they found cockroaches crawling in and out of cable equipment, trucks and lockers. When they complained to management, they were allegedly told that predominantly black customers on Chicago’s South Side “are more likely to steal equipment or not pay their bills.”

They say they were denied equipment to install cable boxes or new uniforms given to employees on Chicago’s North Side or in the suburbs.

Their lawsuit asks a judge to award back pay, lost benefits and punitive damages.

A Comcast spokeswoman denied the allegations.